Scotch Whisky will be afforded better protection against fake goods in the Australian market with its registration as a certified trade mark.

The move, seen as a “major breakthrough” by trade body the Scotch Whisky Association, in a market which has been seen as “one of the worst markets for fake ‘Scotch’ since 2005.

The SWA said it has taken action to stop the sale of 40 brands of fake ‘Scotch’ in Australia during that time, which it believes resulted from the loss of special protection being removed from Australia's Food Standards Code in 2000 and subsequent “lack of enforcement activity by the authorities”.

Scotch Whisky exports to Australia were reported to be worth £84 million in 2013, up seven per cent on 2012, with Australia now the twelfth largest overseas market for Scotch Whisky by value.

Foreign Secretary William Hague had previously raised the issue of fake whisky on a visit to Australia and the European Commission raise the issue with the Australian Government in bilateral meetings.

Alan Park, legal adviser at the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “I have been involved in actions against many fake ‘Scotch Whisky’ products in Australia in recent years. “Registration of Scotch Whisky as a certification trade mark is a major breakthrough and will make it easier to crack down on fakes and therefore protect consumers, although the onus to prevent the sale of fakes still rests on the industry. “It has taken time and effort to achieve this result and we would like to thank the UK Government and European Commission for their support.

“Scotch Whisky exports are of immense value to the economy so overseas protection is vital.

“We will be monitoring the market and will use our new protection for Scotch Whisky to take decisive action against fakes.”